Letters of Interest are due May 17th, 2019 (extended from April 5th)
Thank you for your interest in the Long Island Regional Planning Council’s Long Island Water Quality Challenge.
On this page, you’ll find helpful information about this STEM competition as well as resources to use to help inform your project.
About the Challenge:
As part of the Long Island Nitrogen Action Plan (LINAP), the Long Island Regional Planning Council (LIRPC) is seeking participation from schools in the Long Island Water Quality Challenge: Low Input Landscaping and Stormwater Treatment on School Grounds. The initiative, which focuses on pollution prevention and reducing stormwater runoff, is being conducted to promote project-based learning in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in Long Island schools. Any NYS accredited educational institution on Long Island (in Nassau and Suffolk counties) that serves students in grades 6, 7 and 8 is eligible to submit a letter/expression of interest. Student teams will choose a project from one of two Water Quality Challenge categories that is feasible and meaningful to them and their community. The two Challenge categories are:
- Low Input Landscaping
- Stormwater Treatment
The Long Island Water Quality Challenge is a great opportunity for schools to do their part to help protect local water resources while improving school grounds. On Long Island you are never far from surface waters (and ground water); that holds true for most schools in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Stormwater runoff on school property can transport nitrogen pollution (along with other contaminants) through the watershed and into our coastal waterways. Excess nitrogen in surface waters can cause eutrophication (excess algae growth or “bloom”). Toxic algal blooms lead to low oxygen conditions, fish kills, and degraded wetlands and marine habitats. Excess nitrogen in ground water can cause health problems as a result of drinking water high in nitrate (a form of nitrogen).
Launch Date:
March 4, 2019
Letters of Interest Due:
May 17, 2019 (Due date recently extended from April 5)
Request For Expressions of Interest:
For details about submission requirements and how to submit a letter of interest, PLEASE SEE THE REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST.
Resources:
Schools and their teams are encouraged to explore the following websites and resources for information on stormwater treatment and low input landscaping.
STEM Challenge Promotional Flyer
Help us spread the word about the Long Island Water Quality Challenge by sharing this promotional flyer with your colleagues, friends and family.
